BIRD-LIFE At SEA. 263 



shire coast. We have never met with this species 

 in Tor Bay, although we have examined a pair 

 shot presumably near Plymouth during the winter 

 of 1898-99, and brought into that port by a trawler. 

 It has been repeatedly observed at Slapton Ley. 



" Black Ducks " are the most familiar birds of 

 the Duck tribe seen in Tor Bay during winter. 

 Under this term are included the Tufted Duck, 

 the Scaup, and the Common Scoter. Of these, 

 the last-named is certainly the most abundant in 

 this locality; but the Scaup is by no means un- 

 common, although it shows more partiality for the 

 open water of the Channel. Flocks of Common 

 Scoters sometimes make their appearance as early 

 as September. Indeed, we saw a flock of " Black 

 Ducks" in the bay during the past autumn as 

 early -as the middle of August, a very exceptional 

 event. These birds rarely come close inshore ; 

 not even the most violent gales drive them to the 

 land. They obtain their food in deep water by 

 diving, and are always alert and shy, requiring 

 considerable skill on the part of the boatman to 

 get within gunshot. Scoters take wing somewhat 

 readily, rising sometimes with a splash that can be 

 heard a couple of miles away, and a large flock 



